to wait for the day direct entry opens again (i know its a long shot)
FWIW, I think there is no point hoping and waiting for this to happen. As far as I understand, expat terms are dead. They may improve the current local deal if they don't get the applicants, but don't hope for something that isn't going to happen.
So, whilst I appreciate you feel the current deal isn't right for you and you turned it down, effectively waiting for a better one - I'm just not sure you'll find one unless you go looking in the sandpit.